Bhubaneswar: Different countries around the world observe their traditional New Year’s Day according to their own customs, in addition to the Christian tradition of the year beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31, based on the Gregorian calendar.
In India, the observance of New Year contrasts from region to region based on religion, culture, tradition, folklore and so on, with states following both solar and lunar calendar systems. The celebration is essentially related to agriculture and climatic condition, kick-starting the activities for cropping and harvesting. Worshipping deities, feasts with regional cuisines, cultural activities involving song and dance, are part of different New Year celebrations, showcasing the beautiful heterogeneity of our country.
Pana Sankranti
Pana Sankranti, also known as Maha Bisuba Sankranti, is the traditional New Year’s Day festival of Hindus in Odisha. It generally falls on April 14 or 15. Maha Bisuba Sankranti is the first day of the month of Baisakh as well as the solar year. In northern India, it is called “Jala Sankranti”, in southern India “Sakkar Pongal” and in Odisha it is known as “Pana Sankranti”, named after “Pana”, the main drink offering specially prepared on this occasion.
A small pot filled with pana or a sweet drink of mishri and water is hung on a tulsi plant. There is a hole at the bottom of this pot that allows the water to fall from the pot, representing rain. The flour of hoarse gram chhatua, along with banana and curd, is consumed after offering it to the tulsi plant on this day.
The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Odisha, as people take trips to Hanuman temples, take baths in sacred rivers or major pilgrimage centres. Moreover, communities participate in mela, enjoy dance and acrobatic performances and much more.
Baisakhi
Baisakhi is a harvest festival of Punjab and, according to their calendar, it is the New Year of Punjabis. The foremost reason behind the celebration of this festival is the expression of sentiments of farmers who harvest ripened Rabi crops. This day is usually observed on April 13 or 14.
The biggest harvest festival celebrated across entire North India, this occasion holds a special place in the Land of Five Rivers. Vibrant colours, powerful giddha and bhangra performances and a feast to remember marks the Sikh New Year. An integral part of the celebration is the Nagar Kirtan. Passing through the streets, gleeful farmers and devotees take part in the processions accompanied by music and holy hymns. More recently, this festival is also celebrated around the world by the Sikh diaspora. Major festivities can be seen in the Golden temple in Amritsar, along with US, Canada and UK.
Poila Boisakh
Poila Boisakh is the first day of the Bengali calendar. It is celebrated in Bangladesh, West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. In Bangladesh, it is a national holiday and in India, West Bengal and Assam it is a public (state) holiday. According to the official amended calendar designed by the Bangla Academy, Poila Boisakh is usually celebrated on April 14. The Bengali words “poila” means “first” and “boisakh” means the first month of the Bengali calendar. “Noboborsho” is New Year.
Fairs, cultural performances and splendid feasts are an intrinsic part of the festivities. Houses are decked up with traditional designs called alpona. But it is the coming together of families on this joyous occasion that completes the celebrations.
Vishu
Vishu is the Malayalam New Year, usually observed on April 14. It is one of the most popular traditional celebrations, followed by the people of Kerala, symbolising the beginning of spring. It is a festival full of lights and fireworks. The day starts with arranging the harvest’s fruits, vegetables and seasonal flowers in front of a mirror. This arrangement is called the Vishu Kani. On this day, devotees also visit Sabarimala Ayyappan temple and Guruvayur Krishna temple for prayers. The traditional feast consisting of preparations like mampazha pachadi, jackfruit erissery and unniyappam is one of the highlights of the day. The ritual, called Kanikanal, is arranged by the women in the household the previous day of Vishu.
Bohag Bihu
Celebrated in the middle of April, Bohag Bihu marks the beginning of an Assamese New Year. The festival is one of the most significant festivals of the state that is celebrated with great zeal, faith and belief.
Also known as Rangali Bihu, Bohag Bihu falls on the day of Baisakhi and Puthandu in Assam. Celebrating the new harvest with lots of sweets, shared among family and friends with exchange of gifts, it is celebrated for three days with many different traditions. Bihu dance is a major form of celebration for the people.
Gudi Padwa
Gudi Padwa is the first day of Chaitra month and marks the New Year in Maharashtra and for Konkani Hindus in the sub-continent. A ‘Gudi’ is a beautiful arrangement of silk saree or cloth tied to stick with a ‘lota’ on the top and then decorated with sweets and garlands made of neem and mango. The day symbolises the victory of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj over his enemies and Shalivahan’s victory over the Sakas. On this day a Gudi can be found hanging on the right side of the main access of houses. The flag is said to ward off evil, bringing prosperity and good luck into the house.
Puthandu
Puthandu represents the Tamil New Year’s Day and is celebrated in the Chithirai beginning, which is the first month as per the Tamil calendar. People wish each other “Puthandu Vazthukal” which means ‘Happy New Year’. The special food of this celebration is Mangai Pachadi, made of raw mangoes, neem flowers and jaggery.
With kolams (rangoli) adorning the doorsteps and rituals reinforcing age-old customs and traditions, the Tamil New Year ushers in hope, good health, peace and prosperity. Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai holds Chithirai Porutkaatchi, a huge exhibition that attracts visitors from all over the country on this special occasion.
